New Year's Eve in Benidorm
New Year's Eve in Benidorm is a double celebration for British visitors: many bars count down to UK midnight at 23:00 Spanish time, then do it all again an hour later for the Spanish New Year.
At Spanish midnight, tradition says you eat twelve grapes — one on each chime of the clock — for luck in the year ahead. Bars hand out grape packs, and the chimes are broadcast from Madrid's Puerta del Sol.
Dates
| Year | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 | Confirmed |
| 2027 | 31 December 2027 – 1 January 2028 | Expected |
What happens, day by day
31 December, evening
23:00
UK midnight — many British bars hold the first countdown.
00:00
1 January
Public holiday; bars open from the afternoon.
Where
Show bars in the Rincón de Loix and New Town, hotel galas, and Benidorm Palace.
Town-wide — Benidorm
Cost
Where to stay nearby
Book early — New Year is one of the busiest weeks of the winter.
What's on in the bars that week
Shows listed for 31 December 2026 – 1 January 2027:
| Date | Time | Act | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 31 Dec | Erasure Benidorm | Tropical Bar | |
| Fri 1 Jan | The Vengaboys Tribute | Tropical Bar | |
| Fri 1 Jan | Pitbull Tribute by Santi | Tropical Bar | |
| Fri 1 Jan | Neil Diamond Tribute | Tropical Bar | |
| Fri 1 Jan | The Legendary BENIDORM TOM | Tropical Bar | |
| Fri 1 Jan | Bruno Mars Experience | Tropical Bar | |
| Fri 1 Jan | One Vision Tribute to Queen | Tropical Bar |
Event times are shown in the Spanish time zone.
New Year's Eve in Benidorm — FAQs
What are the 12 grapes?
A Spanish tradition: one grape on each of the twelve chimes at midnight for twelve lucky months.
Do bars celebrate UK midnight?
Many British bars count down at 23:00 Spanish time for UK midnight.
Do I need tickets?
Only for galas and ticketed shows; most bars are free entry.
What's open on New Year's Day?
Most bars reopen from the afternoon; many shops close.
Related guides
Last updated 9 October 2026 by the onbenidorm team.